Customer Reviews

Frommer's Costa Rica 2009 (Frommer's Complete Guides)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Frommer's is generally known for producing guides that are up-to-date and reasonably comprehensive. For the most part, this one is no exception to that trend. The book follows their standard format for Frommer's with "Best of" lists detailing some of the top attractions followed by general information and suggested itineraries. After that, we get into more detail for each region of the country beginning with San Jose and working through each area of the country in turn.

I was primarily interested in information regarding the natural attractions that Costa Rica has to offer and I found exactly what I was looking for. There are numerous descriptions of the beaches, rain forests, volcanoes, and hiking opportunities. The hotels listed tend to lean toward the more expensive options but that may be due partly to the cheaper ones not meeting the minimum acceptable standards that Frommer's sets. It's also fairly obvious that a guide for even a small country like Costa Rica can't possibly cover every single hotel and restaurant.

Overall, the book is helpful for trip planning and I would recommend it to anyone interested in a visit to Costa Rica.

Not enough budget recommendations. Lonely planet was more my speed.
Frommer's would be a better fit for folks traveling with families, or for people who don't like to travel beyond the safety of the walled gardens.

We bought this book with high hopes... We'd flipped through it in a bookstore and it looked promising. Unfortunately, the good feelings didn't last. Before we even left on the trip, the book binding started falling apart- the first chapter was just loose pages by the time we left (after only a few days of very gentle use).

While we were in Costa Rica, we found ourselves barely opening this guide. The LP guide we had also brought had information about more places, and more information about each place. The Frommers had some great "Best of" lists at the beginning, and some good sample trip itineraries, but that was about it. It also lacked budget recommendations.

My advice: skip it.

The book provides great planning from one day activities to two weeks. I was disappointed when I went to the Mercado Central in San Jose on a Sunday and it was closed. The book misleads by saying that they are open. I do like the small tips that were very helpful. I was not happy that zip lining was not available if you don't make reservations. We did like going to the National Park Manuel Antonio and you for sure you need one of those guides to show you were all the animals are located.

Best guide book I have ever used. I used this book on both my visits to Costa Rica and found it to be very informative and helpful. This book made the ride from San Jose to Manuel Antonio an adventure rather than a drag. Also very helpful on choosing a river rafting trip and other adventures around the Park.

I always get Frommer's travel books for great info on places i travel to. Gives you a good overall view of the things to see. Frommer's is easy to follow, a very good guide & always includes a great map.

I recieved the book. It took a little longer to arrive than I had hoped, but came in good condition.

We stayed in one area for 11 days, so book was limited on that specific area, but next trip will be all over Costa Rica, and it will be an even better resource for different area interests.